Eric Olson, 68, of Kenosha, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2016, at United Hospital System-St. Catherine’s Medical Center Campus surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Kenosha on April 21, 1948, he was the son of the late Emil and Helen (Rafferty) Olson. He was 1966 graduate of St. Joseph High School. Also at that time he won the Golden Gloves Heavy Weight State Championship.
After school, he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps and rose to the rank of E5 Sergeant. After serving he returned to Kenosha and enrolled at UW-Parkside and started a 25-year love affair with Rugby. During his playing days and with various teams he played Rugby in Ireland, New Zealand, and France.
In 1973, he began a 31-year stint with Cherry Electric in Waukegan and Kenosha. He worked in advertising, sales and product management. He retired in 2006 to become Director of the Kenosha Casino Project where he worked for the Menomonee Indian Tribe, Mohegan Sun Casino and Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos until 2013.
Eric was a member of the Kenosha School Board for ten years and was President of the Board for four years. During his tenure, he was part of the referendum that built or altered eight schools, including four new buildings. He was a member of the Boys & Girls Club Board during the funding and building of the present facility. In 2006, he and Mike Pitts, Jr. started the Dairyland Beer & Cheese Fest that in the past 10 years has raised over a quarter million dollars for the Boys & Girls Club activities. He received the Outstanding Service Award from the board in February of 2010 and in 2016 the Helping Hands Award.
Eric founded the Kenosha Baseball Simmons Organization, which was instrumental in maintaining Simmons Field. This was partly a result of a long family history in baseball in Kenosha. His father, Emil, was one of the founders of Little League in Kenosha. He spearheaded efforts to run Simmons Field on a volunteer basis which eventually lead to the Kenosha Kingfish coming to Kenosha. He also helped with the annual cigar fundraiser to raise funds to maintain the field.
In February of 2013, he received the Certificate of Appreciation from the 82nd Airborne Division for selfless service to the Wounded Warrior Project SEWI Chapter.
For the last 10 years, he has helped raise money at the Annual Tom & Jerry’s Christmas Eve party at TG’s bar. The event originally started as a fundraiser for Frank School as a coat and hat collection for disadvantaged children.
Eric also founded and ran the Ameche Medal Awards, which was awarded to an area high school outstanding football player and coach of the year. He was a 25-year member of the Danish Brotherhood and Silver Dollar Club and served on the Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission for 10 years. He was very proud to be a Kenosha resident.
Eric is survived by his two brothers, Chris (Diane) Olson of Denver, CO, and Jon (Peggy) Olson of Kenosha; a sister, Mary (Jim) Kaufman of Sheboygan; 11 adoring nephews and niece, Jon Jr., Frank, Alec, Gina, Luke, and Anthony Olson, Adam, Kyle and Eric Kaufmann, and Colin, Owen and Devin Olson; and his former wife, Alice Linders Olson, and her son, Abraham Linders. He is further survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Graveside services will take place on Thursday, December 22nd, at St. James Cemetery, 7002-7th Avenue, at 3:00 p.m. followed by a reception at Circa on 7th at 4:00 p.m. Reflections from friends to be held at 5:00 p.m.